Performing Arts Director (Emirati)

We are looking for an experienced Performing Arts Director to lead the development and delivery of strategic initiatives that support, activate, and develop the performing arts sector.

The role will be responsible for developing sector-wide strategies, managing strategic programmes and partnerships, identifying sector needs and opportunities, and working closely with internal and external stakeholders to deliver impactful initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic plans, programmes, initiatives, KPIs, and targets to support and develop the performing arts sector.
• Lead the department's annual operational planning, including objectives, budgets, performance indicators, and delivery timelines.
• Conduct sector research and stakeholder engagement to identify gaps, challenges, opportunities, and development requirements.
• Contribute to the development of sector policies, frameworks, legislation, and strategic recommendations.
• Develop and manage strategic programmes and initiatives, monitoring progress, risks, outcomes, and impact.
• Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with government entities, private organisations, cultural institutions, creatives, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Develop initiatives focused on attracting, developing, nurturing, and promoting local, regional, and international performing arts talent.
• Identify opportunities for funding programmes, grants, awards, and other sector-development initiatives.
• Oversee annual activation plans, programmes, events, schedules, KPIs, and expected outcomes.
• Develop methodologies to measure the effectiveness and impact of performing arts programmes and initiatives.
• Work closely with marketing and communications teams to support promotional strategies and stakeholder engagement.
• Represent the organisation at relevant exhibitions, conferences, industry events, and sector forums locally and internationally.
• Provide strategic guidance and technical expertise on performing arts-related programmes, exhibitions, activations, and initiatives.
• Monitor departmental performance, identify gaps, and lead corrective and continuous-improvement initiatives.
• Prepare regular reports, analysis, recommendations, and performance updates for senior leadership.
• Manage departmental budgets and ensure appropriate allocation and utilisation of resources.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a multidisciplinary team, ensuring performance objectives and operational requirements are achieved.
• Support workforce planning, talent acquisition, training, and professional development initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with organisational policies, procedures, governance, information security, and health and safety requirements.
• Perform other duties related to the role as required.

Stakeholder Management

Internal Stakeholders

• Senior leadership
• Cross-functional departments
• Marketing and Communications
• Strategy and Performance teams
• Finance and HR
• Programme and Project teams

External Stakeholders

• Government and semi-government entities
• Private-sector organisations
• Cultural and creative institutions
• Performing arts organisations
• Artists, creatives, and industry professionals
• Local, regional, and international partners

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Performing Arts, Applied Arts, Business Administration, Project Management, or a related discipline.
• 10+ years of relevant professional experience, preferably within performing arts, culture, arts management, creative industries, or a related sector.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing strategic programmes and sector-wide initiatives.
• Strong experience managing high-impact programmes involving multiple internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams and complex strategic initiatives.
• Strong understanding of performing arts trends, sector development, talent development, and cultural/creative ecosystems.
• Experience developing strategic recommendations, policies, frameworks, and programmes.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, partnership development, and negotiation skills.
• Strong budget management and performance-management experience.

Core Competencies

Leadership

• Strategic Thinking
• Leading and Inspiring Teams
• Change Management
• Stakeholder Leadership

Behavioural

• Excellent Communication
• Collaboration & Relationship Building
• Excellence in Execution
• Problem Solving
• Customer & Community Focus
• Institutional Awareness

Technical

• Strategic Planning
• Programme & Project Management
• Performance Management
• Sector Development
• Performing Arts / Cultural Sector Knowledge
• Partnership & Stakeholder Management

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will be a strategic and commercially aware leader with strong knowledge of the performing arts and creative industries, combined with the ability to translate sector priorities into practical programmes and measurable outcomes.

They should be comfortable engaging with senior stakeholders, government entities, industry leaders, creative professionals, and multidisciplinary teams, while managing multiple strategic initiatives simultaneously.